# Aaron Erter

> Aaron M. Erter is the Chicago-based CEO and executive director of James Hardie, appointed in September 2022. His career includes commercial leadership at Stanley Black & Decker, Valspar and Sherwin-Williams and the CEO role at PLZ. He led James Hardie through its July 2025 acquisition of AZEK and the integration of a broader exterior products portfolio, and serves on the boards of Ball Corporation and Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at James Hardie
- **Organizations:** James Hardie, Ball Corporation, Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, Pro Football Hall of Fame National Advisory Board, PLZ Corp, Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, Stanley Black & Decker
- **Education:** B.S. in Economics, University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, Executive MBA, University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business
- **Known for:** Progressed from consumer-brand leadership to leading the Performance Coatings Group at Sherwin-Williams., Led James Hardie through completion of the AZEK acquisition in July 2025., Appointed a Ball Corporation director in June 2024.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Spent 15 years at Stanley Black & Decker in sales and marketing leadership roles involving Black & Decker and DEWALT.
- **2011-11** — Became Vice President and General Manager, North America, at Valspar.
- **2015-12** — Became Senior Vice President at Valspar.
- **2017-06** — Joined Sherwin-Williams through its acquisition of Valspar.
- **2017-08** — Became President of the Sherwin-Williams Consumer Brands Group.
- **2019-03** — Became President of the Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group.
- **2020-11** — Appointed President and CEO of PLZ, effective November 19.
- **2022-09** — Appointed James Hardie CEO and executive director, effective September 1.
- **2024-06** — Appointed to Ball Corporation’s board on June 3.
- **2025-07** — Continued as CEO of the combined company when James Hardie completed the AZEK acquisition on July 1.

## Achievements

- Progressed from consumer-brand leadership to leading the Performance Coatings Group at Sherwin-Williams.
- Led James Hardie through completion of the AZEK acquisition in July 2025.
- Appointed a Ball Corporation director in June 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Led James Hardie’s first Investor Day since combining with AZEK; management targeted annual organic growth 4% to 7% above market and said the original $125 million cost-synergy target was expected approximately a year early. These are forward-looking targets.
- **2026-08** — Announced an agreement to sell the European Fermacell business to Holcim for €840 million, with closing expected in the first half of 2027, and an intended European fiber cement closure subject to required processes.
- **2026-08** — James Hardie and Boise Cascade announced an expanded distribution partnership, effective July 31, covering the full North American exterior portfolio.

## Links

- Website: https://www.jameshardie.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aerter

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/aaron-erter
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23